The county Planning Board approved a Columbia Association tot lot in Huntington yesterday, even though it is located about 80 feet from the site the panel approved for the community facility last summer.

After getting county approval in August, the nonprofit association bowed to community pressure, moved the site and built the lot without seeking the Planning Board's OK.

"We wouldn't even bother the county with something that minor, tell you the truth," said Denis Ellis, assistant director of open space management for the Columbia Association.

But Martin Rubin, whose yard backs up to new location, did bother county planners about it, and the association was forced to submit new engineering plans costing about $2,000.

"What got me was that a handful of people went out there and decided, 'this is the site,' " Mr. Rubin said after yesterday's planning meeting.

POLICE LOG

* Owen Brown: Oakland Mills Road/Dobbin Road: A man said another man pointed a short-barreled shotgun at him as he sat in his car at a traffic light Tuesday. The victim said he drove through the light and called police when he got home.

The suspect was described as black, in his early 20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He wore a dark cotton work jacket and jeans.

* Lake Elkhorn: A tan 1989 Mercury Topaz with New York tags X2V779 was stolen from a parking lot early Tuesday morning. Police said car keys had been left under the seat.

7500 block of Broken Staff: Someone attempted to steal a 1993 Dodge Spirit on Sunday.